Apparatus for dyeing



March 1, 1938. ABBOTT 2,109,894

APPARATUS FOR DYEING Original Filed June 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 O O OO O O O O O O O 0 9 O O O O O O 0 O O O O O Q 0 O O O 0 9 0 O O O 0 O OO 0 0 D O O O O O O O O O 0 O O frzveiz Zar;

Edward rZA 0Z A eljls',

March 1, 1938. E. J. ABBOTT- APPARATUS-FOR DYEING I Original Fil ed June25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invent; v Edward J14 5&0ZZ, $5 434%,; Mw9l4m Al A7 a V 7/ Aug:

Patented Mar. 1, 1938 PATENT! OFFICE 2,169,894 APPARATUS FOR DYEINGEdward J. Abbott, Wilton, N. 11., assignor to Abbott Machine Company,Wilton, N. 11., a corporation of New Hampshire Original application June25, 1930, Serial No. 463,649. Divided and this application April 25,1935, Serial No. 18,207

4 Claims. (01. 8-19) 6 This application is a division of my applicationSerial No. 463,649, filed June 25, 1930, now Patent No. 2,031,588, datedFebruary 25, 1936. This invention pertains to the fluid treatment oftextile materials, and relates more particularly to apparatus, to wit, akettle or vat, for use m such fluid treatment, for example, as dyeing,bleaching, or preshrinking textile yarns, the principal object beingtoprovide a kettle or vat of improved construction by means of which thefluid treatment may be carried out in a highly eflicient and expeditiousway with assurance of substantial uniformity of product and underimproved conditions and ease of operation.

As respects certain aspects of the invention, the kettle or vat may beeither of the open or closed type and may be used in carrying out any ofthe usual methods of dyeing or other fluid treatment of textiles or thelike, but I have herein chosen to illustrate the invention as embodied,by way of example, in an open topped kettle or vat equipped for pressuredyeing or fluid treating yarns, slivers, etc., wound upon spools.

In order to equalize the velocity of flow of liquid at the inner andouter peripheries of the material wound on the spools, this inventionprovides a novel relation between the diameter of the spool barrel andthe outer diameter of the materal w und thereon.

As illustrated, the kettle is of the double bottom type for use inpressure dyeing, and the dye liquor delivered axially downward by thepump impeller into the plenum space between the bottom members of thekettle is distributed by suitable directing means so as to preventswirling and to insure even operation, the heating medium, usuallysteam, being also admitted to the plenum space in a manner whichsubstantially prevents hammering and which makes use of the energy, ofthe steam to increase the velocity of the flowing dye liquor.

-To avoid the excess pressure of the dye liquor, particularly when buta.- few spools are in use, I have provided a pressure relief valve forthe space between the kettle bottoms.

Other features of advantage and utility will be apparentfrom thisspecification and its drawings, wherein the invention is explained byadescription of a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central sectional view' of one embodiment of my invention;

.Fig. 2 is a top plan view ofthe same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section showing pressure'relief meanswhich may be used when the kettle is not provided with its fullcomplement of spools;

Fig. 4 is a top view to larger scale of a preferred form of drive shaftbearing; and

Fig, 5 is a small scale, diagrammatic section, at right angles to thesection of Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of the inlet pipe.

While my invention may be of more general utility, I regard it asparticularly desirable in its illustrated embodiment in apparatus forspool dyeing yarn or the like. Referring to Fig". 1, the numeral Idesignates a dye vat or kettle having a bottom 2 and a false bottom 3spaced from the bottom 2 to provide a plenum chamber 4 between them. Thefalse bottom 3 has a plurality of openings, each preferably. providedwith a tubular bushing sleeve I I, the lower ends of the sleeves restingupon the bottom 2, while the upper end of each sleeve or bushing isprovided with an annular seat-flange 1 adapted to support the lower endof a spool 6. The lower part of each bushing is provided with one ormore elongate slots I2 permitting the flow of fluid from the plenumchamber upwardly and intothe hollow barrel of the spool resting upon theseat-flange l and thence outwardly through suitable perforations H inthe spool barrel, so that liquid supplied under pressure to the plenumchamber flows out through the yarn or roving wound upon the spoolbarrels.

A vertical rod 5, anchored at its lower end to the bottom 2, projectsupwardly and axially through-each bushing H and is provided withsuitable means for clamping a spool 6 against the corresponding seat I,Preferably these rods 5 are reduced in diameter at their lower portions,providing shoulders at Hill which bear upon the lower ends of thecorresponding bushing ll. Since the seat flange l of the bushing restsupon the upper surface of the false bottom 3, and the shoulder on rod 5holds the lower end of the bushing against the bottom 2, the two bottommembers are firmly clamped together and kept from spreading,--a verynecessary feature in a wooden kettle. Such clamping means prefer-ablycomprises a retaining cap 8 or the like, adapted to bear against the top.of the spool 6 and to close the upper end of the tubular spool barrelbeing held tightly against the upper end of the spool by a nut 5engaging the'screw threaded upper end of the rod 5. As shown at theright of Fig. 1, the cap 8 for a selected one of the spools may carry anupward extension 6 adapted to project above the highest possible liquidlevel within the dye vat, such extension being closed at its upper endby a cap 8' held in place by a suitable clamping nut 5 engaging thecorresponding rod 5. This arrangement permits such spool to be unclamped(without lowering the level of the hot dye liquor) for samplingpurposes.

The false bottom 3 is provided with a large opening 3* preferablycentrally located, and a vertically disposed hllow' column 20 isarranged to extend upwardly concentrically with this opening 3 from thefalse bottom 3 to a point above the top of the kettle. Preferably thiscolumn consists of a plurality of aligned sections, the lowersection'which is within the kettle preferably being perforated, asindicated at 22, to serve as a strainer. The fluid within the dye kettleproper freely enters the column through these perforations and passesdownwardly through the opening 3' into the plenum chamber 4. At thelower end of the column 20, I arrange a spider-like frame 23, whichsupports a suitable bearlng 24 in which a vertical drive shaft 25 ismounted. This shaft preferably extends downwardly below the bearing andcarries a suitable pumpimpeller 26' at or near its lower end, suchimpeller preferably being arranged directly within the opening 3" in thefalse bottom, the opening, if desired, being furnished with a liningsleeve or bushing 21. The pump impeller 26 is preferably of the axialflow type, for example, a screw propeller, and the shaft 25 may beconnected to any suitable (preferably reversible) driving means, forexample, an electric motor 26 mounted upon the upper end of the column2|.

A part 40 (conveniently a metal casting) is arranged directly below thecolumn 20 between the false bottom 3 and the true bottom 2 of thekettle, and acts to brace the central part of the false bottom and tosupport'the weight of the column and parts carried thereby. This castingIll preferably has a plurality of downwardly and outwardly curved ductsor passages ll having walls which tend to overcome any tendency of theliquid to swirl or take up a marked rotary motion within the plenumchamber. These pessages compel the liquid to enter the plenum.

chamber in a plurality ofindependent and substantially horizontalstreams, such passages communicating at their upper ends with theopening 3* and at their lower ends with the plenum space 4.

A hollow frusto-conical portion of the part 40 is arranged directlybelow the center of the pump impeller 26" and deiines the lower walls ofthe passages 48*. A supply pipe II is arranged to deliver steam or-otherhot fluid into the chamber in part II and from this chamber ducts l2lead outwardly to the passages ll, so as to deliver the hot steam intothe fluid flowing through said passages 9, thereby heating the fluidwithout substantial tenden y to produce hammer, and at the same timeutilizing the kinetic energy of the steam. for increasing the velocityof the The bearing 24 above referred to is illustrated in detail in Fig.4. This bearing preferably comis not iniuriously effected by the dyeliquor, and

aioaees which leaves ample room between the bearing elements ill foraxial movement of the liquid which is depended upon for lubrication ofthe shaft and bearing. In contrast to a plain bushing, this arrangementis less likely to be injured by dirt or grit which tends to collectbetween the shaft and bushing and to wear these parts,- and furthermore,the end of the grain provides a better bearing surface than the side ofthe grain, while the tendency of a plane wooden bushing to shrink andcrack in hot liquids, alkalies, acids, etc., is avoided.

Preferably, although not necessarily, I proyidea sleeve 38 to enclosethe drive shaft 25, said sleeve having a few openings 39 permittingentrance to fluid into the space about the shaft. This sleeve or guardprevents the rotating shaft from causing cavitation of'the liquid abovethe pump impeller, while the openings 39 permit sufficient liquid toenter the space about the shaft to afford adequate lubrication for thebearing.

Supply pipes I2 and 13 provided with the necessary controlling valvesare arranged to deliver water dye liquor, or the like to a strainer S,from which the pipe P leads downwardly (preferably within the kettle) toa point closely adjacent to the upper surface of the false bottom 3.

Any usual drain connection 14 may be arranged to lead from the bottom ofthe plenum chamber,

said drain being controlled by a valve of suitable.

The cap 3" at the upper end of the extension ll, (already described) ispreferably disposed above the lower part of the opening 16 so that thecap 8 and the nut 5 are exposed above the surface of the fluid in thekettle during the dyeing operation.

The arrangement of inlet and outlet pipes just described is of greatadvantage in connection with the rinsing process, since for rinsing thematerial it is merely necessary to admit fresh water through the pipe Pwhich enters through the strainer S and rising in the lower part ofthekettle gradually displaces the warm and dirty or spent dye liquor in thekettle, such dirty or spent liquor flowing out through the outlet 16 andthe pipe. II. When the water rises with sufficient rapidity to flll theoutlet opening 16, the column of water in the pipe I5 (which extends toa point below the bottom of the-kettle) produces a suctioneflect whichmaterially increases the velocity of flow through the .kettle, thuscutting down the time of the riming operation. This method of rinsingalso substantially prevents the mixture of incoming clean water and theoutflowing dirty water so'that the saving of water necessary, as well asin the time consumed in the operation is considerable.

As above noted the motor 26 is preferably supported'by the fixed column2|, the latter being and removed therefrom without interference f fromshafts or motor supports extending trans-z versely of the kettle top.

Preferably the upper portion of the column 2| terminates in a flange 20adjacent the top of the kettle and an extension 2| of the column issecured to this flange in any desired manner, this extension forming theimmediate support for the motor. Preferably this extension is providedat an intermediate point with a septum 11 having a central opening forthe passage of the shaft 25, the edge of such opening having an upturnedlip '18 forming a trap for grease which might pass downwardly from themotor. erably the shaft 25 is connected to the motor shaft proper bymeans of a coupling 19 which comprises radial flange members, suchcoupling being disposed within the extension member 2| and above theseptum 11. Thus any grease flowing down the motor shaft will be thrownoutwardly from the coupling '19 by centrifugal action and willaccumulate in the upper part of the extension 2| and will be caught-bythe septum and its upturned lip 18 so that the grease can not passdownwardly.

The motor is preferably of the air cooled type having an outer shell orcasing 0 provided at its upper end with an inlet which may if desired beconnected by a pipe '80 to a source of fresh air,for example, this pipemay extend to the outside of the building. Within this casing there i isarranged a fan F, preferably of centrifugal direction regardless of thedirection of rotation necessary to ensure the proper fluid velocity ofthe motor. The air thus set into motion cools the motor and is thendelivered from the lower part of the casing between the flange 8i andattaching flanges 82 by means of which the motor is secured to theextension 2|. These several flanges cause the air discharged from thecasing to move outwardly and downwardly in a more or less conical orumbrella shaped stream which passes transversely across the open top ofthe kettle and thus entrains and carries away steam and vapor risingfrom the kettle top.

The motor is preferably of reversible type so that the pump impeller26'may be turned in either direction at will, thus causing the dyeliquor to flow radially of the spool, either inwardly or outwardly asmay be preferred, it being noted that by placing. the impeller withinthe large opening 3 in the false bottom 3 the operation of the impeller,even at high speeds,

does not produce any substantial cavitation effeet, so that for anymotor speed a substantially constant and predetermined pressure may .bemaintained even though the dye liquor is at the boiling point.

size of the pump impeller 3. and with reference to the number of spoolsand the thickness of material wound therein as to maintain within theplenum chamber 4, the constant pressure through the material onthespools. If, however, for any reason the full complement of spoolsshould not be used, and one or more of the seats I were to be completelyclosed in order to maintain the desired fluid flow through the spools onthe other seats, it is'found that witha constant speed motor, thepressure in the plenum chamber would rise with accompanying rise influid velocity, and to avoid this condition I prefer, asyillustrated inFig. 3',- to provide valve members 83 adapted to be associated with anyvacant seat Iv for normally closing the opening through said seat.Preferably such valve mem- Prefis to be left vacant (that is, unprovidedwith a filled spool) the valve member 83 is slipped over the clampingrod 5 and -allowed to drop onto the hers 83 are cylindrical plugs of adiameter adaptseat, the weight of the valve member being such that ifthe pressure in the plenum chamber rises .beyond a predetermined amount,the valve will automatically rise in response to the pressure and allowsome of the dye liquor to escape through the opening in seat 1.Preferably when using'such a valve plug 83, I clamp an empty spool onthe seat which is closed by the plug, the barrel of the spool being ofsuflicient diameter to receive the plug freely without interfering withthe rise and fall of the latter. I flnd the spool surrounding the plugto be advantageous since it breaks up the stream of fluid escaping frombeneath the valve plug, which, if permitted to enter in a singlerapidlyflowing stream, might cause snarling or injury to the stock on adjacentspools. c

If desired, a variable speed motor may be used instead of the singlespeed motor above referred to and in such' case the relief or safetyvalves may or may not be employed as desired. If a multi-speed motor isemployed, I find that a standard alternating current three-phase motorwound to i give different speeds provides the requisite change in pumpvelocity for different conditions, and such motors are relativelyinexspool and thus prevents abnormal difference in the velocity of thefluid at the. outerand inner peripheral surfaces of the material woundon the spool. Thus a spool which is forty inches long between its heads,and has heads ten and onehalf inches in diameter, with a barrel sixinches in external diameter is found in practice to 'ensure a velocityof radial flow not more than greater at the inner periphery of thematerial.

than at the outer periphery. This is highly important since it isdesirable to maintain as high a velocity as is permissible in. order'tocut down the time of the operation while at the same time to avoid avelocity which will cause blowing and tangling of the material. In otherwords, by the employment of a spool of this type, the thickness of thematerial which may be wound on,

the spool is kept within the predetermined min-' imum limits desirablefor the best results. Moreover, by the employment of spools which limitthe thickness of material as stated, it is possible to circulate theliquid with considerably less than the customary pressure, and in muchlarger volume. For example, in a flve hundred pound, fiettle holding sixor seven hundred gallons, the

quid may be circulated at the rate of one thousand gallons per minute atapproximately three pounds pressure and with a power consumption of fromeight to ten horse powerrper kettle, whereas with the usual arrangement,a.

circulation of from two to four hundred gallons per minute requires theexpenditure of from ten to fifteen horse power. Not only is the presentarrangement economical of power but by reason of thelarge volumeofliquid which is circulated, a very unusual uniformity of product isobtained.

While the apparatus described is particularly useful in dyeing orbleaching material wound upon spools, I find it also of great utility inthe preshrinking treatment of certain types of yarn. In dealing withsome kinds of yarn, for example, mohair or coarse wool, it is found thatwhen the yarn is wet, the longer fibers shrink more than the shorterones, giving the yarn a cockled or boucl appearance. When such yarn iswoven or otherwise used it has little ultimate strength since all of thefibers do not come into action at the same time to carry the stress, andit has been customary as a preliminary step in the dyeing operation towind such yarn upon a stretcher or reel, immerse it in 'hot water, andthen expose it to warm air to dry and set the fibers, after which thematerial may be dyed without cockling. The same results may readilybeobtained by the use of the apparatus above described by winding theyarn under heavy tension on the perforated spool, which is then placedin the kettle, and subjected to the action of hot water and then dried.The heavy tension necessary for this setting operation would make sodense a mass that it could not be uniformly dyed on the spools in thisform, although the hot water may be circulated to an extent sufiicientto set the yarn. After drying, the yarn is then rewound but under lesstension upon a spool of the same kind and may be restored to the dyekettle for the dyeing operation.

Doubtless other uses of the improved apparatus will occur to thosefamiliar with the textile arts, it being understood that various changesin relative arrangement, size, proportion of parts, and substitution ofequivalents may be made without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

chamber, and means for normally closing any of such openings as may beidle, the closing means being arranged to move and uncover itsrespective opening when the pressure in the plenum chamber rises above apredetermined point.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising a receptacle for dyeliquor, said receptacle having spaced bottom members providing a plenumchamber between them, the upper of said bottom members having aplurality of openings, each provided with an annular seat for thereception of the lower end of a perforated hollow spool barrel, meansfor forcing liquid into the plenum chamber, and a slidable valve plugfor closing any of said openings as may be idle, the valve plug beingarranged to lift and permit escape of fluid from the plenum chamber whenthe pressure therein rises abnormally.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a kettle having aplurality of annular spool supporting seats, means for clamping a spoolto each seat, such spools having hollow perforated 'barrels, means fordelivering fluid at predeterto maintain the desired velocity of flowthrough the material wound on the spools when all of the seats areoccupied-by filled spools, and weighted plugs adapted to be insertedwithin the barrels of any suchspools as may be empty to close theopening in the corresponding seat, said plugs being adapted to rise inresponse to abnormal pressure in the plenum chamber therebyautomatically maintaining such pressure substantially constant.

EDWARD J. ABBOTT.

